Reel to Reel Recording Issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter nshaw
  • Start date Start date
N

nshaw

New member
Hey - I just for the first time attempted to record on my Pioneer 3 head reel to reel. It plays tapes fine, as well as everything else. When I plugged my friends synth into it, and recorded (left and right dials did move), and then attempted to listen to the recorded loop, there was no music. I attempted again, after erasing the music that was previously on the tape reel, and still no dice.

I was just wondering if anyone can help me out with this. I am assuming that maybe the recording head is dirty??

Thanks for the help

Shaw
 
Welcome, have you cleaned the heads? I'm not sure about your deck but was wondering if the tracks were armed?
 
I have not yet cleaned the heads. Is there something I can use other then cleaner specific to head cleaner??

And I am sorry, I am not sure what "armed" means. I am really knew to r2r's. My friend had one laying around, and gave it to me after i talked about wanting to experiment with tape loops.

It is Pioneer RT-1011 L, if that helps any.

I forgot to put this in the original post, but it does seem to actually record, although VERY quietly. I had the volume up on the amp I had it plugged into as far as it would go, and the recording was playing, yet at a whisper.
 
I'm not familiar with the 1011, but I would imagine that there is a switch/button to select "Tape / Source". If it is set to "Source", you won't hear anything from the tape. If you are getting a signal during record and nothing upon playback, I would venture to say it is that setting.

I wouldn't discount DodgeAspen's question about the tracks being "armed". "Arming" a track, as far as that type of reel to reel deck (I've got the RT-909 BTW), simply means enabling the record mode mode for the specific tracks (Left and Right). I think (can't find a good photo for that model) your unit has two buttons to "arm" the left and right channels, respectively. If so, make sure you have them in the "Record" position and try again. If not, I would go with double checking the "Tape / Source" switch/button.;)
 
You need to clean the heads and demgnetize them. Also check teh arming thing.

AK
 
You can use the highest % of rubbing alcohol you can find for the cleaning. The best thing to use would be makeup remover pads, that way you can put more pressure to get things nice and clean. You might go through several pads but that's OK. As far as arming is concerned, select record, press rec/pause at the same time, or rec/play. You might see a red record light (I'm guessing) then after recording switch to the play mode and hear your tunes. Good luck.
 
thanks everyone for the help!!!

While recording i did flick the recording on switches for both the left and right side, and switched it to source (and yes, did see the red light turn on).

So I hope it is just a dirty head problem.

Thanks again for the help, and this board rocks!
 
thanks everyone for the help!!!

While recording i did flick the recording on switches for both the left and right side, and switched it to source (and yes, did see the red light turn on).

So I hope it is just a dirty head problem.

Thanks again for the help, and this board rocks!


For playback, switch to tape.
 
Thanks again for all the advice. Unfortunately, that was not successful. I bought rubbing alcohol, and wiped down all of the heads. After putting all the switches in the right place, and recording on a loop, it was still VERY quite upon play.

Is it a possibility that the write head is just shot? (hopefully not).

Another thing i was thinking is that maybe it is because I am recording over tape that has been professionally recorded on? (I don't see why this would be the issue, but I thought I'd throw it out there).

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
shaw
 
It should record on that tape. How old it the tape? Do you have access to newer tape to test?
 
This might seem like a stupid suggestion, but is the tape shiny side up (contacting the heads)? Just something I thought about just now.;)
 
I am not sure how old the tape is. I do have another reel of tape, maybe I will try that instead.

I do have it so the shiny side is the one touching the heads.
 
the "source/tape" switch HAS to be on "tape" when playing back. i know this was mentioned, but you said you had it on "source". it has to be on "tape" for you to hear anything back.
 
if it is an older tape (or non-backcoated), it actually has to be dull side facing the heads.
 
I definitely have all the switches in the right places (sorry for the mistype on that).

I will try having it so the dull side is touching the heads (I didn't know this to be the case).

Thanks again!!
 
Back
Top